History Press to look at First World War in 'whole new light'

The History Press has signed The First World War in 100 Objects by battlefield specialist Peter Doyle, the latest acquisition as part of its...

The History Press has signed The First World War in 100 Objects by battlefield specialist Peter Doyle, the latest acquisition as part of its publishing programme to mark the centenary since the war began.

Jo de Vries, head of General History publishing at The History Press, signed the book directly with Doyle, who is co-secretary of the All Parliamentary War Graves and Battlefield Heritage Group.

Vries said Doyle’s work in conflict archaeology and battlefield terrain has given him access to some of the rarest and most unique objects of the the First World War.

She said: “Objects bear witness to events and are imbued with a sense of history in a way that is very moving and very personal. This book looks at the Great War in a whole new light, from the international to the microscopic, via objects such as life belts from the Lusitania to the football of Loos, the Mother tank to the Zeppelin, German belt buckles to Russian rifles, barbed wire to wooden crosses.

"Each object tells a story, allowing us to commemorate the Great War in a very intimate way.”